The beauty of your skin gets marred by the pigmentation marks and many of the ladies around can be seen trying out various methods of getting rid of the same.

So here we have got for you some expert advice, which will surely help a lot. As per cosmetic physician Dr Jamuna Pai, "Our skin gets its pigment from melanin that is made by the body and determines the color of your skin, hair and eyes. An over-production of melanin shows up as brown patches and spots."

Explaining the main reasons for hyper-pigmentation, experts state the following reasons:
1. Sun damage - Brown spots or dark patches appear from too much melanin being made and coming to the skin surface as a protective mechanism.

2. Hormonal changes - Pregnancy, menopause and sometimes oral contraceptive pills can cause pigmentation.

3. Injury PIH (post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation) - The body's response to injury is inflammation which triggers melanin production and the result are brown spots and patches. Some examples of PIH are acne scars, insect bites, cuts or abrasion, post laser treatments, post peels, fixed drug reaction.

Treating it
Senior cosmetic surgeon Dr Mohan Thomas suggests, "Daily skin cleansing is essential so, wash your face at least twice a day using oil and alcohol-free formulas. Exfoliate three times per week; apply the exfoliator in circular motions to all affected areas, normally the nose, forehead and chin. The exfoliation encourages a newer, smoother skin surface by helping to unclog pores, prevent further breakouts and diminish blemishes and pigmentation spots."

Tips to be followed:
1. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight between 9am-4pm.

2. Apply generous amounts of sunscreen at an interval of three to four hours.

3. Take nutritional supplements of Vitamin C and anti-oxidants.

4. Keep yourself hydrated

Source: TNN